Venice 2024 - Part 1 - American Airlines Flight, Train Ride, View from Our Apartment, Sketching With a Friend

I think most urban sketchers begin their trips with a sketch either of the view of the airplane through the windows of the terminal or a sketch done on the plane. We arranged for a wheelchair at JFK for Jerry so we never sat at the gate waiting. Instead I sketched on the American Airlines plane. This man was across the aisle. The lights had already been dimmed on the plane after dinner. 

After our plane landed in Milan, we navigated our way from the airport to Milan's Central Station and then the fast train from Milan to Venice. The trip took about 2 1/2 hrs. I captured the couple across from us, the luggage, and a bit of the view out the window.

This is the beautiful view out one of our windows in the living room of our apartment in the San Polo area of Venice. This is the same apartment we stayed in last year. It was perfect for us...lots of room, an elevator, and walk-in shower that Jerry could use easily. We had a very rainy day, so I am glad we had a nice view.

A NYC Urban Sketcher friend was also in Venice for a few days. I met up with Marion for an afternoon of sketching and a nice lunch.

This was the view that I was sketching.

Departing JFK

 On Tuesday Jerry and I started our adventure back to Venice. He wanted to meet with the musicians he has worked with there for many years. Traveling with a handicapped person isn’t easy. There is a lot to figure out and handle differently. I must say that ITA Airlines (Alitalia) was very helpful in providing wheelchairs to get him back and forth to the gates and bringing us his walker too. I think it ended up being a little easier than I thought but harder than he expected. 

We arrived at JFK with lots of time to spare which meant I had sketching time before and after our lunch before the flight. During the first segment of our flight I didn’t have a great view but I made the most of it.

Airport Wait

My husband was away working with a musician in Romania for a few weeks. On Tuesday I went to Kennedy Airport to pick him up. I had about an hour to work on this sketch while I waited for him to go through customs after his flight got in. Most of the people were there waiting for quite a while.

My Trip Begins

Yes, I am finally back! The trip was great and I will post a bit at a time. Like many artists when I travel I like to keep a sketchbook as well as do individual loose paintings. I made a special accordion sketchbook just for the trip. Sometimes it is hard to decide if I should use the sketchbook or do an actual painting.

Our trip started at Kennedy Airport on Sept. 12. We always get to the airport with plenty of time to spare so we find someplace comfortable to sit and have a drink. We sat at the bar of the New York Sports Bar and had a drink. I pulled out my sketchbook and did this of the bartenders. The one with the ponytail and beard was our bartender. When he saw the sketch he asked if it was for him and I said no, it was in my sketchbook for the trip and I couldn't give it to him. He said for a sketch he would give us free drinks.

So I pulled out my small sketchbook and did another for him...and we got two free beers. lol (Don't tell anyone...I don't want to get him in trouble.) I took a photo of the sketch before I gave it to him.

I couldn't resist sketching the couple sitting across the aisle from us on the flight.

We had an overnight flight from NY to Milan on American Airlines, arriving early the next morning. From Milan we took the train down to Savona, Italy.

Those sketches and paintings will be next. Ciao!